Paquin’s lasting legacy on Maryland’s coast
With decades of experience in home construction, Paquin Design Build has established itself as a trusted leader in waterfront home building on the Eastern Shore. Since 2004, the family-run company has been dedicated to crafting exceptional homes across Queen Anne’s County, Talbot County, St. Michaels, Oxford, Anne Arundel County, Kent County and Dorchester County. In addition to its steadfast commitment to quality and client satisfaction, Paquin’s seamless design and build process allows for the creation of beautiful custom homes and commercial spaces all while respecting budgets and surpassing client expectations. This dedication has made Paquin Design Build the preferred choice for homeowners seeking to build their dream residences along the shores of Maryland. Brent Paquin, President, shares an overview of the company’s early years and evolution.
“My interest in establishing a design-build business began in high school, influenced by my experiences growing up around building projects with my father, an electrician. In high school, I was introduced to drafting classes and fell in love with architecture, which I pursued through my college education. Afterward, I gained valuable experience in both designing and building projects by working for a roof and floor truss manufacturer and a local custom builder with a design department. In the early 2000s, aged 22 and a half, I identified a market gap for small projects, seeing it as an opportunity to capitalize on given that larger contractors were not interested in these endeavors. This insight led to the establishment of Paquin Design Build, with an initial focus on small projects such as decks, screen porches, and renovations. As time went on, we gradually transitioned into larger full-home renovation projects and began building custom homes. Today, we take pride in crafting stunning waterfront homes along Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,” he begins.
Diverse services
For over 20 years, Paquin has stayed ahead of the curve in a competitive market and maintained continuous success through several key factors. “Our longevity can be attributed to sound financial management, detailed processes, and a strong team culture with a client-first mindset. Furthermore, we have developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) that ensure solid financial health and forward momentum. Enhanced project pipeline visibility also helps us plan and manage our resources effectively. This solid foundation is further supported by the seamless integration between our design and construction teams, which encourages consistent communication between departments and clients for smooth project execution,” Brent informs.
Building on its ongoing success, Paquin established four sister companies: Paquin Interiors, Beacon Point Homes, PDB Commercial, and PQ Development. “Each division empowers us to serve our clients and community with a diverse range of services,” says Brent. “Paquin Interiors provides high-quality materials and renovations for kitchens and baths while Beacon Point Homes specializes in more affordable houses, utilizing value engineering to deliver exceptional results. PDB Commercial manages commercial design and build projects, including mixed-use buildings and community centers, and PQ Development offers comprehensive land development services, transforming raw land into beautifully finished homes. All five companies operate under one roof at our headquarters in Grasonville, Maryland, allowing every team to interact and collaborate throughout the day. Being gathered in one place empowers our teams to coordinate on kitchen and flooring selections, exchange design and permitting resources, and perform cost analysis and development planning collaboratively. Our pre-construction and design departments also work closely with all five companies to provide centralized support, assisting with design work, permitting, and construction phases,” he continues.
Collaborative project 
By combining the expertise of five different companies, Paquin is empowered to offer its clientele an enhanced range of services, as Brent explains. “At Paquin Design Build, we specialize in custom home design and builds, particularly waterfront homes along the Chesapeake Bay. Throughout our process, we prioritize transparent cost discussions for upgrades and downgrades, as well as vision development with clients. To achieve the best outcomes, we ensure a full-service design-build experience and a budget-sensitive design and finish selection process. Indeed, we understand the importance of balancing design, budget, and client expectations to create a successful project,” he states.
Brent goes on to highlight the unique features of a recently completed custom home for the owner of a full-service home performance company. “This home was a highly collaborative project, as we worked closely with the client, who brought his invaluable energy efficiency insights to the table. Some of this home’s standout features include insulated ZIP systems, spray foam insulation, make-up air systems, high-quality windows, and efficient HVAC systems. The design combines traditional farmhouse characteristics with modern elements and efficiency, resulting in a home that is not only comfortable and charming but also exceptionally energy efficient. This harmonious blend was achieved through a collaborative effort between our design-build and performance teams, who engaged in thoughtful detail planning, especially regarding roofline intersections and preserved thermal breaks,” he enlightens.
Optimized layouts
At present, PDB Commercial’s attention is directed towards a mixed-use building project in historic Easton, Maryland, which is currently under construction. “The project involves revitalizing an old fire-damaged, abandoned building and expanding it into a three-story structure with office, retail, and apartment spaces, all while retaining the original footprint. With this mixed-use setup, the retail and office spaces will be located on the ground floor, just below the apartments on the second and third floors. Aiming to meet both historical and modern architectural standards, we are designing this project in a way that balances historic architectural requirements with modern elements like black and white themes and cantilever balconies,” Brent reveals.
While the PDB Commercial team is still working on this revitalization project, the Paquin Design Build team already has numerous custom homes in the pipeline, which Brent tells us more about. “One ongoing project, called Bellevue on the Tread Avon, is located in Royal Oak, Maryland. It features building waterfront and water view homes, for which we have carefully developed a site layout that is optimized for water views from every inland property. To protect these unique views, we have added a ‘viewable space’ clause in the homeowners association (HOA) bylaws, specifying that no plantings or structures taller than four feet are allowed, as they could obstruct the view. Another upcoming project involves designing a one-of-a-kind custom waterfront home complete with highly tailored outdoor spaces such as a pool, pool house, private pier, and a peninsula,” he ends.
Through its unrivaled mastery in crafting exceptional custom waterfront homes, Paquin is poised to continue its legacy in Maryland’s design-build landscape.